Today's Date:

(...) The whole country is uniting to secure the release of the hostages and support their families in this ordeal. I personally shall go on organizing meetings similar to the one held this morning at Hôtel Matignon [the Prime Minister's official residence] to share the information we have. The aim of every initiative taken has been to open a credible channel of discussion with a view to saving the lives of our two compatriots held hostage by maintaining contact with reliable intermediaries. On 22 September, we obtained proof that the hostages were alive and, seemingly, in good health. After intensifying efforts to start the process of getting their release, we had got some encouraging results, when sadly a short while ago things were suddenly halted. We are now endeavouring to relaunch it by providing the necessary clarifications.

France isn't playing a double game. M. Julia's personal initiative, with no official mandate, hasn't been approved or supported. Faced with a fait accompli, we chose not to hinder it, conscious, obviously, of the confusion it was leading to, but also of the need to avoid any untimely statement, in the very interest of the two hostages. It would have been irresponsible on our part not to explore all the avenues... We clearly told our interlocutors that the only channel of discussion with France was that of our country's official representatives. We thus pledge to pursue all contacts which might help bring about the hostages' release.

I call once again on everyone to display a sense of responsibility. I thank the National Assembly for the unity it is showing today. It is commensurate with what is at stake, and also with the duty of solidarity we owe the hostages' families, who are being particularly courageous in the ordeal./.